Brooklyn’s bold strategy draws Steve Kerr, Draymond Green seal of approval

The The Brooklyn Nets front office is under attack after the historic draft in 2025. Fast forward six months, and the team is in the midst of the most dramatic turnaround in the NBA, with several rookies playing key roles.

Head coach of the Warriors Steve Kerr is among them considering the Nets’ promising early return to the draft.

“It seems to be working,” Kerr said of Brooklyn landing an NBA-record five first-round picks. “I watched the Minnesota game today. It was impressive. I just think every time we’ve played them over the last few years they’ve been energetic, well-organized, well-coached. I just think they’re doing a great job. Jordi is doing a great job with his staff to develop players despite, obviously, seven wins and 10. (But) they have the best defense in the league in December, so they’re doing something right.”

Steve Kerr on the Nets’ strategy to land five rookie picks in the first round:

“It seems to be working. I watched the Minnesota game today. It was impressive. . . . They do a great job. Jordy and his staff do a great job developing players.” pic.twitter.com/3IfPm18Iz2

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) December 29, 2025

After an apathetic 0-7 start, The Nets went 7-4 in December with the third best net rating in the NBA. Beginners Egor DeminDanny Wolf, Drake Powell and Nolan Traore have been constants in Brooklyn’s rotation during this stretch.

The Nets’ rookies play a key role in the dramatic turnaround

Demin was the most impressive of the bunch as he started his last 21 games. The 6-foot-9 guard is averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 44/40/90 shooting over his last six games. While he has limitations as a ball-handler and power-creator, his three-point shooting (37.4 percent on 12.4 attempts per 100 possessions as a starter), decision-making (1.79 ast/to ratio) and defensive ability have allowed him to post a positive net rating (2.1) as a starter.

Meanwhile, Wolfe impressed with his on-ball creation as a jumbo wing while holding his own defensively on the perimeter. Powell has shown added creation compared to his North Carolina days while remaining solid as a three-and-D wing. And Traore has been effective as a ball-handler and second-unit defender since making the rotation.

“They’re just playing the right way,” Fernandez said of Brooklyn’s starters. “They’re not trying to do too much. They’re trying to do the little things, from the game-winning plays to the shots they need to take, whether they go in or not, to all the assignments. And it’s hard because the games keep coming in this league and you have to teach the staff, and that’s the staff you had, you probably didn’t give them credit to give them credit for learning before. putting in the work. They appreciate and appreciate the opportunity.”

“Because the reality is, if they don’t play to a certain standard, they’re not going to get that minute, and they know it. The only thing we’re looking for is effort and purpose, and both of those things are necessary. And if you miss a shot, you miss a shot, it’s not a big deal. But right now, they’re contributing to the win, and that’s important.”

Just like at the beginning of last season, the Nets are exceeding expectations under Fernandez. However, with multiple starters, a rising third-year player in Noah Clowney, and potential All-Star in Michael Porter Jr.this year is more promising in terms of Brooklyn’s long-term outlook.

The Nets own an NBA-best 12 first-round picks and 18 second-round picks over the next seven years and project to have over $40 million in cap space next summer.

“They’re playing really hard, which I think is the first step in rebuilding any roster,” Draymond Green told ClutchPoints on Monday after the Warriors’ 120-107 win over the Nets. “They have a lot of young talent. They shoot the ball very well. Very good defensively, they change a lot of things. I think this is a team that will continue to build, obviously through the draft with their assets, but I think they have some good, promising young pieces.”